Torque drive for washing machine agitators



Oct. 15, 1940. c woo 2,218,275

TORQUE DRIVE FOR WASHING MACHINE AGITATORS Filed Sept. 17, 193? ATTORNEY J.

Patented Oct. 15, 1940 t I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TORQUE DRIVE FOR" WASHING MACHINE AGITATORS Charles K. Woodin, Newton, Iowa, assignor to The Maytag Company, Newton, Iowa, a corpora tion of Delaware Application September 17, 1937, Serial No. 164,37

1 Claim. (01. 287-53) The present invention relates to a splined prehends other details, arrangements of parts, torque drive and more particularly to the com- I features and constructions without departing bination of novel complementary splined torque from the spirit of the invention.

drive members associated with the drive shaft In the drawing: and agitator of a washing machine or the like. Figure l is a fragmentary plan view of an agi- 5 Among the objects of the present invention tator. I. I is to provide a novel torque construction com- Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the agiprising a male and a female drive member so tator. f

-' constructed and arranged as to prevent wear and Fig. 3 is a view in horizontal cross-section on play between these members and which will firmthe line 3-3 of Fig. 4. I q 10 ly retain the agitator in its downward, adjust- Fig. 4 is a view in vertical cross-section taken ed position against any normal tendency to lift, on the line 4-4 of Fig. l. y l yet can be readily and easily removed by the op- Referring more particularly to the disclosure erator for cleaning. in the drawing, the novel invention is shown as In the present construction of domestic washembodied in a washing machine agitator l, pro- 5 s machines employing a at rs, ect ons are vided with a base 2, a plurality of upstanding made concerning the knocking and lifting of liquid impelling blades or varies 3, and a high the agitator d e to Wear and play in the drive center post 4. This agitator is adapted to be torque connecting and driving the agitator from mounted upon and drivenby a drive shaft 5 0 the drive Shaft Wh c generally extends generally extending through the base or lmttom ly through the bottom of the tub. Numerous of a washing hi t b, means and methods have been devised and are To the upper end of t drive shaft. i keyed now being employed to retain the agitator in its a male torque block 5 by means of a pin or m predetermined position in the tub. One of the tening key This torque member is provided most witiely used methods 15 employ a Screw with splines or ribs 8 and channels 9 therebeor the hke for firmly retammg locking the tween adapted to inter-engage or interlock with agitator upon the drive shaft. h One objection to the use of screws or the like t e splines m and channels H of comple for retaining and locking the agitator in its mentary female member I! suitably connected to erative position is that the operator or houseupper end of the hlgh center post of the 30 wife will allowthe agitator to remain in the mat; chine rather than take the time or trouble to Wlthm recess m the female member remove the screw or similar locking means, and 15 Seated a detent Spring This Spring is thus neglect proper cleaning of the agitator and confined Withi!1 the recess y the tubular pp 5 the space therebelow in which sediment collects. portion of the center post 4. This spring is pro- 5 i The present invention allows, a ready assembly vided or formed with a projection l5 adapted to and positioning of the agitator and a quick and seat in a detent groove l6 located adjacent the e y removal for cleaninglower end of the channels 9 in the male mem- A fur her Obje t of the invention is the P ber 6. This detent forms a shoulder l'l against I 40 vision of a novel torque construction for driving which the projection 5 Seats whenever the 40 the agitator and a detent spring for preventing torque members are in their proper adjusted the accidental or unintentional lifting or removal a of the agitator It will be clearly evident that the seating of Further objects are to provide a construction 5 of maximum Simplicity, efficiency, economy and this proiection l5 against the shoulder l1 pre- 46 ease of assembly and operation, and such furems the hfmfg of the female 9 i member ther objects, advantages and capabilities as will a the agltator, and the acmdental or later more.ful1y appear and are inherently posmtentional removal Fhereofi sessed thereby. The present invention also eliminates wear and 50 The invention further resides in the construc- Play between the dnving Part5 caused Pnmaflly 50 tion combination and arrangements of parts by the oscillation Of the agitator. Although the illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and agitator is retained firmly P o it m be while I have shown therein a preferred embodid y r m v d or p a d o proper cleaning ment, it is to be understood that the same is susand access to the tub bottom for removal of any ceptible of modification and change, and comsediment that may collect thereat.

bular post at the male torque block 01' the drive shat u angina Having thus described the invention, I claim: In. a torque drive construction for driving a washing machine a female torque member secured within a tuagitator from the drive shaft,

upper endoi the agitator, a mounted on the upper end t, complementary interlocking splines with channels therebetween on said torque block and female torque member for lockin: said parts together against relative rotary movements, vertic al grooves forming detents 10- the agitator; v CHARLES K.-WOODIN. 

